Description of Period:
The Restoration period arose after interregnum, England’s period between the monarchies, when the monarch was reinstated. Puritanical laws and censorship prevalent during Cromwell’s rule during interregnum were dismissed as Charles II ascended the English throne, thus, allowing literature to prosper as it was freed from puritanical constraints. Literature of this era is characterized by an outpouring of philosophical writing, poetry, and drama that were often witty, sexual, and bawdy. Great works from this era are Paradise Lost, Sodom, and The Country Wife. Writers of this era were deeply influenced by the ancient works, such as Virgil’s Aeneid, of the Augustan Age of the Roman Empire. Rome’s greatest literary works were translated and imitated immensely.
Works Cited:
Hager, Alan, ed. "Restoration." Encyclopedia of British Writers, 16th and 17th Centuries. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. O2
How strongly does my passion flow, Divided equally 'twixt two? Damon had ne'er subdued my heart, Had not Alexis took his part; Nor could Alexis powerful prove, Without my Damon's aid, to gain my love.
II.
When my Alexis present is, Then I for Damon sigh and mourn; But when Alexis I do miss, Damon gains nothing but my scorn. But if it chance they both are by, For both alike I languish, sigh, and die.
III.
Cure then, thou mighty winged god, This restless fever in my blood; One golden-pointed dart take back: But which, O Cupid, wilt thou take? If Damon's, all my hopes are crossed; Or that of my Alexis, I am lost.
Critical Article Summary:
In a tribute to England’s first professional female writer Virginia Woolf wrote of Aphra Behn that, “All women together ought to let flowers fall upon the tomb of Aphra Behn…for it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds.” Aphra Behn, talented and skilled, led a life as the only woman in theatrical and literary circles. Dramas she wrote included The Forced Marriage, The Dutch Lover, and The Town Fop, or Sir Timothy Tawdry. Turning later in her career to poetry, she wrote poetry with impassioned themes and stark sexual imagery. She published the first major epistolary novel in English titled Love Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister. Originally turning to writing in order to support herself after ending up in debtor’s prison, Aphra Behn became one of the most successful writers of the Restoration.
Works Cited:
"Behn, Aphra." Library of Congress. Prints and Photographs Division. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. O2 Apr. 2012. http://www.fofweb.com
The Restoration attempted to revert back to the years of 1641, which was considered a jump into political newness (Harlan). In the year 1660, Charles II ascended to the throne of Britain, trying his best to restore the liveliness and sophistication of the country (Harlan). This marked the return to royal rule, but the public grew frustrated by the growing divisions between politics, and eventually the people split into two groups: the Tories, monarchy supporters, and the Whigs, middle-class Parliament supporters (Love). Charles II lifted laws that banned theatrical productions, and writers wrote of various and opposing topics that either praised or insulted the royalty (Love). Much of the content from writers of this era took ideas from Enlightenment era authors and poets. In 1665, the Great Plague of Europe hit, and the entire capital was deserted, and one year later in 1666 was the Great Fire of London, destroying nearly everything in the city (Robinson). Nearly one decade later, the government began to prosecute Catholics for lying to the public about Jesus Christ and religion, and James II succeeded Charles II in 1685 (Love). Soon after, James II went into exile, and William and Mary of Orange came to power in late 1688, beginning the Glorious Revolution (Love). Literature finally emerged as a primary form of art, and works of Newton, Boyle, and Hooke were found extremely popular (Love). Clothing began to develop from the suppression of the people into high fashion with bows, frills, and lace (Robinson). The Whigs rose under William and Mary; thus, the people also rose, and London became a place accepted by all people, Parliament, and royalty (Love).
Summary of Critical Article on PoetEdmund Waller wrote his compilation of his poems called Divine Poems in 1685 at the age of 79. The majority of his poetry includes describing beautiful women (like in “The Self Banished”) or powerful men. In this book, most people only saw promise in the poem “Of the Last Verses,” which is the final poem written in the book and possibly by Waller himself, but the majority of the poems are viewed as “mediocre” by most critics, while others like Dr. Samuel Johnson state that the “ideas of Christian Theology are too simple for eloquence,” meaning that Wallers poems are simple and describe the images perfectly. Hillyer, the writer of this article, states that Waller scribes with multiple ambiguities, and the “grace of expression” – how Waller wrote his poems – is parallel to the “grace experienced” by the reader. He believes that Waller was a “formulaic thinker,” writing his poems with specific rhyme schemes and rhythms. Looking into the majority of his poetry as well, Waller seems to commit self-depreciation, calling himself a servant of others and considering himself less worthy of beauty than he truly is. Works Cited
Hillyer, Richard. "Edmund Waller's sacred poems." Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900 39.1 (1999): 155. General OneFile. Web. 1 Apr. 2012. <http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA54257706&v=2.1&u=22358_dpl&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w>
The Augustan Age:
1.) Alexandra Milliard
Description of Period:
The Augustan Age was an era that flourished from 1700-1745 and under the reigns of Queen Anne, King George I and King George II. The Augustan Age, also known as the Age of Pope, was an age dominated by literature driven by intellect rather than emotion. It was a time when the novel really began to develop and satire was extremely popular. The people of this age were tired of the imagination and emotion of the previous age and wanted more intellectual and didactic works. The main contributors in this age were Alexander Pope, Joseph Addison and Jonathan Swift. Out of these three Pope had the biggest influence and success, hence the name Age of Pope.
"The Dying Christian to His Soul" by AlexanderPope VITAL spark of heav'nly flame! Quit, O quit this mortal frame: Trembling, hoping, ling'ring, flying, O the pain, the bliss of dying! Cease, fond Nature, cease thy strife, And let me languish into life.
Hark! they whisper; angels say, Sister Spirit, come away! What is this absorbs me quite? Steals my senses, shuts my sight, Drowns my spirit, draws my breath? Tell me, my soul, can this be death?
The world recedes; it disappears! Heav'n opens my eyes! my ears With sounds seraphic ring! Lend, lend your wings! I mount! I fly! O Grave! where is thy victory? O Death! where is thy sting?
Critical Article Summary:
Alexander Pope was the most prominent figure of his era. He wrote poems that are known for embodying everything that age's literature was about. An example of this is "Ode to Solitude", it contains all the things literature needed then.Those would be symmetry, clarity and order. The key to writing these works was to go against all ""medieval values", which Pope was very good at ("Alexander).The likely influences that caused Pope to write the way he did were the political, religious and social changes occuring during that time period. Pope was also often found criticizing those who wrote works full of imagery and did not allow the ideas to mature. Pope felt it eas very necessary that ideas be allowed to develop through the poems. Pope is also known for perfecting the couplet and even those were often full of satire. Later on Pope wrote about more religious issues but his most celebrated works were those written during the Augustan Age.
The Augustan Age took place in the early 18th century, approximately between 1700-1745. The definition of an Augustan poet would be a political, satirical, and philosophical writer who focused either individualism or society as the main theme of a poem. This age was also named after Alexander Pope, who exemplified these qualities as a writer even at a young age. He readily sought challenges against his work, which he combated with relevant satire. Besides Pope's rapid mastery of the English language and intricate topics, his was also known for commonly implementing iambic pentameter in several of his pieces.
"Ode on Solitude" by AlexanderPope (1700)
Happy the man, whose wish and care
A few paternal acres bound,
Content to breathe his native air,
In his own ground.
Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire,
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter fire.
Blest! who can unconcern'dly find
Hours, days, and years slide soft away,
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day,
Sound sleep by night; study and ease
Together mix'd; sweet recreation,
And innocence, which most does please,
With meditation.
Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;
Thus unlamented let me dye;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lye.
Critical Article Summary:
Alexander Pope has been acknowledged on numerous occasions as an undoubtedly skilled poet. However, when reviewed, Pope's works highly contrasted the romantic literary themes that dominated the times. His style was deemed as dated, and the information and arguments he presented as illogical. His prevalence remained low until a recent wave of New Criticism sparked notice for the poet. Further reviewing by scholars now recognizes the significance of Pope's attention to informative and emotional pieces. Critics decided to appreciate his art in terms of its creation and content. This led to extensive study into the poet's life, which provided further insight into his several works. Supplementing a knowledge of Pope's background as an integral part of each poem, a variety of critics have detected latent modern ideals embedded within several pieces. These underlining themes could have been the cause of his ridicule in the past and his popularity in the future.
Description of period: In reference of time, the Augustan era styles of writing were founded during the dominion of the Roman Empire, when Caesar Augustus was ruler; but, the writing style grew prominent and more preferred 1600 years later. The Augustan Period spans from the early 1700’s to the middle 1800’s. Augustan Era writing can be identified by three qualities: its romantic consistency, its employment of lyrical rhythm, and its typical absence of a fixed form of poetry for preference to prose poetry. One might argue the fact that other periods were just as romantic or just as lyrical, but the important detail that such criticizers lack is the time frame in which the writing takes place. Augustan Era writing was not created in the 1700’s, but adopted from former poets of the past and modified to the customs, culture, and spirit of the poets whom lived during the flourishing of Augustan styled writing. The fact that Augustan style writing is reflective of past-time writing but reformed to conform to the tastes of 18th century readers establishes a forward distinction between any other periods that hold similar qualities.
Happy The Man Who, Safe On Shore Thus, Skill And Science Both Must Fall; And Ruin Is The Lot Of All. Happy the man who, safe on shore, Now trims, at home, his evening fire; Unmov'd, he hears the tempests roar, That on the tufted groves expire: Alas! on us they doubly fall, Our feeble barque must bear them all. Now to their haunts the birds retreat, The squirrel seeks his hollow tree, Wolves in their shaded caverns meet, All, all are blest but wretched we -- Foredoomed a stranger to repose, No rest the unsettled ocean knows. While o'er the dark abyss we roam, Perhaps, with last departing gleam, We saw the sun descend in gloom, No more to see his morning beam; But buried low, by far too deep, On coral beds, unpitied, sleep! But what a strange, uncoasted strand Is that, where fate permits no day -- No charts have we to mark that land, No compass to direct that way -- What Pilot shall explore that realm, What new Columbus take the helm! While death and darkness both surround, And tempests rage with lawless power, Of friendship's voice I hear no sound, No comfort in this dreadful hour -- That friendship can in tempests be, What comfort on his raging sea? The barque, accustomed to obey, No more the trembling pilots guide: Alone she gropes her trackless way, While mountains burst on either side -- Thus, skill and science both must fall; And ruin is the lot of all.
Freneau, Philip. "The Hurricane." Poems Written Between the Years 1768-1794. Philip Morin Freneau. Philip Freneau, 1795. 270. LitFinder. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.
Critical Analysis: The Hurricane by Philip Freneau is ideal to exemplify the qualities of the Augustan period and the character of 18th century writers. The poem’s diction and syntax provide for an enlightening, lyrical, and free styled format of writing. While the poem maintains the quality of old Augustan properties through witty rhythm and freedom of form, the poem also inherits quality fitted to the 18th century—the poem is rather dark, gloomy, and frightening. Why compose a poem that consist of romantically lyrical stanzas and characterize it with depressing content? The reason why Augustan era writing is so peculiar is because it is comprised of poems that describe the world people lived in at that time. The message of the poems is mostly the same: “even though these are dark times we are living in, we can overcome the challenge through enlightened spirit and positive attitude.” Philip Freneau delivers a message of how nature and humans are interdependent of each other and how humans are mistreating their relationship with nature. As custom for this era Freneau’s poem has an uplifting romantic rhythm which acts as motivation for humans to make a difference of the gloomy situation presented in the poem. The poem is dark, thus comprising itself as modern to the time period, but also maintains the lyrical pattern of original Augustan poetry.
"Philip Morin Freneau." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. General OneFile. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.
The Age of Johnson was a time of transition and experiments that led to the Romantic Age. Its history is that of the battle between old and new, with the new ultimately winning out.Three of the main authors of this time period were Samuel Johnson (for whom the age is named after), Jane Austen, and William Blake. Some of the characteristics are that it "focuses more on natural and artistic beauty with an eye towards the great classical righters." They also put emphasis on the "intellect, balance, reason, and order."
In the article the author discusses what Blake really meant in his poem. At first he ponders what could have made such s terrible force? And could it have made him and the lamb as well? His simple descriptions and language contrast the depth of this poem. Towards the end of his poem Blake switches the words from "dare" to "could", therefore changing the authors beliefs. At the beginning he wondered if something could have made him, but at the end it is definite something made him and the tiger it is just a matter of the "intentions the creator left in doubt." Some believe this is a parallel for the questions that came up about human existence and the divine in the mid nineteenth century.
The literary period of the Age of Sensibility, more commonly known as the Age of Johnson, was from 1750-1798. This period was a transition between Neo-Classicism and Romanticism. Samuel Johnson, after which this period is named, played a large part in changing literary ideals ("History"). In his philosophical tale Rasselas (1959), Johnson focused on displaying the moral that “human life is everywhere a state in which much is to be endured, and little to be enjoyed” ("History"). A primary focus of this period was in the vanity of human wishes.
Johnson exemplified the possibility of success in critical discrimination and intellectual integrity. His friend Oliver Goldsmith, author of “The Rose,” was another prominent poet of the Age of Johnson. He was particularly well-known for his peculiar and interesting mixture of old and new styles. Some of his work foreshadowed the romantic age, displaying the period as being a transition to romanticism. Also, the novel was prominently used as a new popular form in this period.
Works Cited:
"History of English Literature." Angelfire. Web. 1 Apr. 2012.
Without your showers, I breed flowers,
Each field a barren waste appears;
If you don't weep, my blossoms sleep,
They take such pleasure in your tears.
As your decay made room for May,
So I must part with all that's mine:
My balmy breeze, my blooming trees
To torrid suns their sweets resign!
O'er April dead, my shades I spread:
To her I owe my dress so gay--
Of daughters three, it falls on me
To close our triumphs on one day:
Thus, to repose, all Nature goes;
Month after month must find its doom:
Time on the wing, May ends the Spring,
And summer dances on her tomb!
Works Cited:
Freneau, Philip. "May to April." Poems Written Between the Years 1768-1794. Philip Morin
Freneau. Philip Freneau, 1795. 96. LitFinder. Web. 1 Apr. 2012.
"The Rose" by Oliver Goldsmith
Child of summer, lovely rose,
In thee what blushing beauty glows;
But, ere to-morrow's setting sun,
Thy beauty fades, thy form is gone:
Yet though no grace thy buds retain,
Thy pleasing odours still remain.
Maiden's smile, like thine, sweet flower,
Shall bloom and wither in an hour;
But mental fragrance still shall last,
When youth and youthful charms are past
Ye fair, betimes the moral prize,
'Tis lasting beauty to be wise!
Works Cited:
Goldsmith, Oliver. "The Rose." Lyrics from the Old Song Books. Ed. Edmonstoune Duncan.
Philip Freneau, a poet sometimes referred to as “the Father of American poetry,” is an eighteenth century poet whose writing was involved in several periods of the eighteenth century including the transitional Age of Sensibility (Age of Johnson Period). While some scholars support his title, others believe him to be unheard of. However, recent anthologies are paying more attention to his work and a reevaluation is thought to be on the way.
Freneau often used the same forms throughout his poetic career, including satires in heroic couplets and octosyllables in the Revolutionary period, and light verses and lyrics later in life. He frequently used the heroic couplet throughout his entire career. Freneau’s heroic couplets were known to be of most quality when he employed them to tell a story, sometimes a story combined with lyric expression. Even though his satires were often unaffective due to a lack of appropriate exaggeration of rhyme and meter for effective satire.
One of Freneau’s most important contributions to American metrical history is his elaborate use of anapestics. He was the one to popularize this meter in America. He used anapests in a variety of ways including couplets, quatrains, and various stanzas, further creating success in his appropriate usage of the measure. Although Freneau did not introduce any original new stanzas to the poetic world, his somewhat expected versions of eighteenth century poetry were instilled with originality in unstilted diction and fresh imagery. One thing often overlooked is the fact that he was writing in lyrical form thirty years before the method of lyrical ballad was even heard of by the world.
The Restoration:
April VivinoDescription of Period:
The Restoration period arose after interregnum, England’s period between the monarchies, when the monarch was reinstated. Puritanical laws and censorship prevalent during Cromwell’s rule during interregnum were dismissed as Charles II ascended the English throne, thus, allowing literature to prosper as it was freed from puritanical constraints. Literature of this era is characterized by an outpouring of philosophical writing, poetry, and drama that were often witty, sexual, and bawdy. Great works from this era are Paradise Lost, Sodom, and The Country Wife. Writers of this era were deeply influenced by the ancient works, such as Virgil’s Aeneid, of the Augustan Age of the Roman Empire. Rome’s greatest literary works were translated and imitated immensely.
Works Cited:
Hager, Alan, ed. "Restoration." Encyclopedia of British Writers, 16th and 17th Centuries. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. O2
Apr. 2012. http://www.fofweb.com /activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=&iPin=EBWXVI376&SingleRecord=True
ON HER LOVING TWO EQUALLY
By: Aphra Behn
I.
How strongly does my passion flow,
Divided equally 'twixt two?
Damon had ne'er subdued my heart,
Had not Alexis took his part;
Nor could Alexis powerful prove,
Without my Damon's aid, to gain my love.
II.
When my Alexis present is,
Then I for Damon sigh and mourn;
But when Alexis I do miss,
Damon gains nothing but my scorn.
But if it chance they both are by,
For both alike I languish, sigh, and die.
III.
Cure then, thou mighty winged god,
This restless fever in my blood;
One golden-pointed dart take back:
But which, O Cupid, wilt thou take?
If Damon's, all my hopes are crossed;
Or that of my Alexis, I am lost.
Works Cited:
Behn, Aphra. "On Her Loving Two Equally, by Aphra Behn." Poetry Archive | Poems. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2012. <http://www.poetry-archive.com/b/on_her_loving_two_equally.html>.
Critical Article Summary:
In a tribute to England’s first professional female writer Virginia Woolf wrote of Aphra Behn that, “All women together ought to let flowers fall upon the tomb of Aphra Behn…for it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds.” Aphra Behn, talented and skilled, led a life as the only woman in theatrical and literary circles. Dramas she wrote included The Forced Marriage, The Dutch Lover, and The Town Fop, or Sir Timothy Tawdry. Turning later in her career to poetry, she wrote poetry with impassioned themes and stark sexual imagery. She published the first major epistolary novel in English titled Love Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister. Originally turning to writing in order to support herself after ending up in debtor’s prison, Aphra Behn became one of the most successful writers of the Restoration.
Works Cited:
"Behn, Aphra." Library of Congress. Prints and Photographs Division. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. O2 Apr. 2012. http://www.fofweb.com
/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=&iPin=CBP0682& SingleRecord=True
Mary Thornburgh - 5:48 P.M. 04/02/2012
Description of Period: 1660-1700
The Restoration attempted to revert back to the years of 1641, which was considered a jump into political newness (Harlan). In the year 1660, Charles II ascended to the throne of Britain, trying his best to restore the liveliness and sophistication of the country (Harlan). This marked the return to royal rule, but the public grew frustrated by the growing divisions between politics, and eventually the people split into two groups: the Tories, monarchy supporters, and the Whigs, middle-class Parliament supporters (Love). Charles II lifted laws that banned theatrical productions, and writers wrote of various and opposing topics that either praised or insulted the royalty (Love). Much of the content from writers of this era took ideas from Enlightenment era authors and poets. In 1665, the Great Plague of Europe hit, and the entire capital was deserted, and one year later in 1666 was the Great Fire of London, destroying nearly everything in the city (Robinson). Nearly one decade later, the government began to prosecute Catholics for lying to the public about Jesus Christ and religion, and James II succeeded Charles II in 1685 (Love). Soon after, James II went into exile, and William and Mary of Orange came to power in late 1688, beginning the Glorious Revolution (Love). Literature finally emerged as a primary form of art, and works of Newton, Boyle, and Hooke were found extremely popular (Love). Clothing began to develop from the suppression of the people into high fashion with bows, frills, and lace (Robinson). The Whigs rose under William and Mary; thus, the people also rose, and London became a place accepted by all people, Parliament, and royalty (Love).
Works CitedHarlan, Judith A.V., and Kathleen McCoy. "Restoration literature (1660 to 1700): Restoration period." English Literature to 1785. HarperCollins Publishers, 1992. 149+. General OneFile. Web. 1 Apr. 2012.<http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA16706608&v=2.1&u=22358_dpl&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w>
Love, Harold. "The Restoration 1660-1714." Lib.Monash.edu. Monash University Library, 12 Sept. 1997. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. <http://www.lib.monash.edu.au/exhibitions/restoration/xrstcat.html>.
Robinson, Scott R. "Restoration." CWU.edu. Central Washington University, 2012. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. <http://www.cwu.edu/~robinsos/ppages/resources/Costume_History/restoration.htm>.
“The Self Banished” by Edmund Waller (circa 1645)
It is not that I love you less
Than when before your feet I lay,
But to prevent the sad increase
Of hopeless love, I keep away.
In vain (alas!) for everything
Which I have known belong to you,
Your form does to my fancy bring,
And makes my old wounds bleed anew.
Who in the spring from the new sun
Already has a fever got,
Too late begins those shafts to shun,
Which Phœbus through his veins has shot.
Too late he would the pain assuage,
And to thick shadows does retire;
About with him he bears the rage,
And in his tainted blood the fire.
But vow'd I have, and never must
Your banish'd servant trouble you;
For if I break, you may distrust
The vow I made to love you, too.
Works Cited
Waller, Edmund. "The Self Banished (1645)." PoetryFoundation. Poetry Foundation, 2011. Web. 25 Mar. 2012. <http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174708>.
Summary of Critical Article on PoetEdmund Waller wrote his compilation of his poems called Divine Poems in 1685 at the age of 79. The majority of his poetry includes describing beautiful women (like in “The Self Banished”) or powerful men. In this book, most people only saw promise in the poem “Of the Last Verses,” which is the final poem written in the book and possibly by Waller himself, but the majority of the poems are viewed as “mediocre” by most critics, while others like Dr. Samuel Johnson state that the “ideas of Christian Theology are too simple for eloquence,” meaning that Wallers poems are simple and describe the images perfectly. Hillyer, the writer of this article, states that Waller scribes with multiple ambiguities, and the “grace of expression” – how Waller wrote his poems – is parallel to the “grace experienced” by the reader. He believes that Waller was a “formulaic thinker,” writing his poems with specific rhyme schemes and rhythms. Looking into the majority of his poetry as well, Waller seems to commit self-depreciation, calling himself a servant of others and considering himself less worthy of beauty than he truly is.
Works Cited
Hillyer, Richard. "Edmund Waller's sacred poems." Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900 39.1 (1999): 155. General OneFile. Web. 1 Apr. 2012. <http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA54257706&v=2.1&u=22358_dpl&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w>
The Augustan Age:
1.) Alexandra Milliard
Description of Period:
The Augustan Age was an era that flourished from 1700-1745 and under the reigns of Queen Anne, King George I and King George II. The Augustan Age, also known as the Age of Pope, was an age dominated by literature driven by intellect rather than emotion. It was a time when the novel really began to develop and satire was extremely popular. The people of this age were tired of the imagination and emotion of the previous age and wanted more intellectual and didactic works. The main contributors in this age were Alexander Pope, Joseph Addison and Jonathan Swift. Out of these three Pope had the biggest influence and success, hence the name Age of Pope.Works Cited
"Augustan Literature." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 31 Mar. 2012. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustan_literature>.
"Learn English, IELTS, EFL,ESL Public Speaking, Grammar, Literature, Linguistics by NEO." The Age of Pope (1700-1744). Web. 02 Apr. 2012. http://neoenglishsystem.blogspot.com/2010/12/age-of-pope-1700-1744.html.
"The Dying Christian to His Soul" by Alexander Pope
VITAL spark of heav'nly flame!
Quit, O quit this mortal frame:
Trembling, hoping, ling'ring, flying,
O the pain, the bliss of dying!
Cease, fond Nature, cease thy strife,
And let me languish into life.
Hark! they whisper; angels say,
Sister Spirit, come away!
What is this absorbs me quite?
Steals my senses, shuts my sight,
Drowns my spirit, draws my breath?
Tell me, my soul, can this be death?
The world recedes; it disappears!
Heav'n opens my eyes! my ears
With sounds seraphic ring!
Lend, lend your wings! I mount! I fly!
O Grave! where is thy victory?
O Death! where is thy sting?
Works Cited
"The Dying Christian to His Soul, by Alexander Pope." Poetry Archive. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. http://www.poetry-archive.com/p/the_dying_christian_to_his_soul.html.
Critical Article Summary:
Alexander Pope was the most prominent figure of his era. He wrote poems that are known for embodying everything that age's literature was about. An example of this is "Ode to Solitude", it contains all the things literature needed then.Those would be symmetry, clarity and order. The key to writing these works was to go against all ""medieval values", which Pope was very good at ("Alexander).The likely influences that caused Pope to write the way he did were the political, religious and social changes occuring during that time period. Pope was also often found criticizing those who wrote works full of imagery and did not allow the ideas to mature. Pope felt it eas very necessary that ideas be allowed to develop through the poems. Pope is also known for perfecting the couplet and even those were often full of satire. Later on Pope wrote about more religious issues but his most celebrated works were those written during the Augustan Age.
Works Cited
"Alexander Pope." LitFinder Contemporary Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2007. LitFinder. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.
Document URL http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CLTF0000056624BI&v=2.1&u=fl_breva&it=r&p=LITF&sw=w
Gale Document Number: GALE|LTF0000056624BI
2.) Paula Kahn
Description of Period:
The Augustan Age took place in the early 18th century, approximately between 1700-1745. The definition of an Augustan poet would be a political, satirical, and philosophical writer who focused either individualism or society as the main theme of a poem. This age was also named after Alexander Pope, who exemplified these qualities as a writer even at a young age. He readily sought challenges against his work, which he combated with relevant satire. Besides Pope's rapid mastery of the English language and intricate topics, his was also known for commonly implementing iambic pentameter in several of his pieces.Works Cited
"Information about Augustan Poetry." English!Info. 2010. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. <http://english.turkcebilgi.com/Augustan%20poetry>.
"Ode on Solitude" by Alexander Pope (1700)
Happy the man, whose wish and care
A few paternal acres bound,
Content to breathe his native air,
In his own ground.
Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire,
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter fire.
Blest! who can unconcern'dly find
Hours, days, and years slide soft away,
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day,
Sound sleep by night; study and ease
Together mix'd; sweet recreation,
And innocence, which most does please,
With meditation.
Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;
Thus unlamented let me dye;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lye.
Works Cited
"Ode on Solitude by Alexander Pope." Poem Hunter. 31 Dec. 2002. Web. 30 Mar. 2012. <http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ode-on-solitude>.
Critical Article Summary:
Alexander Pope has been acknowledged on numerous occasions as an undoubtedly skilled poet. However, when reviewed, Pope's works highly contrasted the romantic literary themes that dominated the times. His style was deemed as dated, and the information and arguments he presented as illogical. His prevalence remained low until a recent wave of New Criticism sparked notice for the poet. Further reviewing by scholars now recognizes the significance of Pope's attention to informative and emotional pieces. Critics decided to appreciate his art in terms of its creation and content. This led to extensive study into the poet's life, which provided further insight into his several works. Supplementing a knowledge of Pope's background as an integral part of each poem, a variety of critics have detected latent modern ideals embedded within several pieces. These underlining themes could have been the cause of his ridicule in the past and his popularity in the future.
Works Cited
"Alexander Pope." Enotes. Web. 01 Apr. 2012. <http://www.enotes.com/alexander-pope-criticism/pope-alexander>.
3) Tim Hessen
Description of period:
In reference of time, the Augustan era styles of writing were founded during the dominion of the Roman Empire, when Caesar Augustus was ruler; but, the writing style grew prominent and more preferred 1600 years later. The Augustan Period spans from the early 1700’s to the middle 1800’s.
Augustan Era writing can be identified by three qualities: its romantic consistency, its employment of lyrical rhythm, and its typical absence of a fixed form of poetry for preference to prose poetry. One might argue the fact that other periods were just as romantic or just as lyrical, but the important detail that such criticizers lack is the time frame in which the writing takes place.
Augustan Era writing was not created in the 1700’s, but adopted from former poets of the past and modified to the customs, culture, and spirit of the poets whom lived during the flourishing of Augustan styled writing. The fact that Augustan style writing is reflective of past-time writing but reformed to conform to the tastes of 18th century readers establishes a forward distinction between any other periods that hold similar qualities.
"Augustan age." Benet's Reader's Encyclopedia. HarperCollins Publishers, 1987. 61. Genera OneFile. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.
A18034473&docType=GALE&role=ITOF
Poem:
The Hurricane by Philip Freneau
Happy The Man Who, Safe On Shore Thus, Skill And Science Both Must Fall;
And Ruin Is The Lot Of All.
Happy the man who, safe on shore,
Now trims, at home, his evening fire;
Unmov'd, he hears the tempests roar,
That on the tufted groves expire:
Alas! on us they doubly fall,
Our feeble barque must bear them all.
Now to their haunts the birds retreat,
The squirrel seeks his hollow tree,
Wolves in their shaded caverns meet,
All, all are blest but wretched we --
Foredoomed a stranger to repose,
No rest the unsettled ocean knows.
While o'er the dark abyss we roam,
Perhaps, with last departing gleam,
We saw the sun descend in gloom,
No more to see his morning beam;
But buried low, by far too deep,
On coral beds, unpitied, sleep!
But what a strange, uncoasted strand
Is that, where fate permits no day --
No charts have we to mark that land,
No compass to direct that way --
What Pilot shall explore that realm,
What new Columbus take the helm!
While death and darkness both surround,
And tempests rage with lawless power,
Of friendship's voice I hear no sound,
No comfort in this dreadful hour --
That friendship can in tempests be,
What comfort on his raging sea?
The barque, accustomed to obey,
No more the trembling pilots guide:
Alone she gropes her trackless way,
While mountains burst on either side --
Thus, skill and science both must fall;
And ruin is the lot of all.
Freneau, Philip. "The Hurricane." Poems Written Between the Years 1768-1794. Philip Morin Freneau. Philip Freneau, 1795. 270. LitFinder. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.
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Critical Analysis:
The Hurricane by Philip Freneau is ideal to exemplify the qualities of the Augustan period and the character of 18th century writers.
The poem’s diction and syntax provide for an enlightening, lyrical, and free styled format of writing. While the poem maintains the quality of old Augustan properties through witty rhythm and freedom of form, the poem also inherits quality fitted to the 18th century—the poem is rather dark, gloomy, and frightening. Why compose a poem that consist of romantically lyrical stanzas and characterize it with depressing content? The reason why Augustan era writing is so peculiar is because it is comprised of poems that describe the world people lived in at that time. The message of the poems is mostly the same: “even though these are dark times we are living in, we can overcome the challenge through enlightened spirit and positive attitude.”
Philip Freneau delivers a message of how nature and humans are interdependent of each other and how humans are mistreating their relationship with nature. As custom for this era Freneau’s poem has an uplifting romantic rhythm which acts as motivation for humans to make a difference of the gloomy situation presented in the poem. The poem is dark, thus comprising itself as modern to the time period, but also maintains the lyrical pattern of original Augustan poetry.
"Philip Morin Freneau." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. General OneFile. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.
K1631002335&docType=GALE&role=ITOF
The Age of Sensibility:
Sara Nystrom
The Age of Johnson was a time of transition and experiments that led to the Romantic Age. Its history is that of the battle between old and new, with the new ultimately winning out.Three of the main authors of this time period were Samuel Johnson (for whom the age is named after), Jane Austen, and William Blake. Some of the characteristics are that it "focuses more on natural and artistic beauty with an eye towards the great classical righters." They also put emphasis on the "intellect, balance, reason, and order."
Citations: Morrow, Licia, and Bronwyn Harris. "What Is the Age of Johnson?" WiseGeek. Conjecture. Web. 01 Apr. 2012. <http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-age-of-johnson.htm>.
"The Age of Johnson (1744-1784) «." The Age of Johnson (1744-1784) «. Web. 01 Apr. 2012. <http://neoenglish.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/the-age-of-johnson-1744-1784/>.
Poem: The Tyger by William Blake
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare sieze the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art.
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
"William Blake: The Tyger." 301 Moved Permanently. Web. 01 Apr. 2012. <http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/~keith/poems/tyger.html>.
Article Summary:
In the article the author discusses what Blake really meant in his poem. At first he ponders what could have made such s terrible force? And could it have made him and the lamb as well? His simple descriptions and language contrast the depth of this poem. Towards the end of his poem Blake switches the words from "dare" to "could", therefore changing the authors beliefs. At the beginning he wondered if something could have made him, but at the end it is definite something made him and the tiger it is just a matter of the "intentions the creator left in doubt." Some believe this is a parallel for the questions that came up about human existence and the divine in the mid nineteenth century.
Citation:
"Explanation of: 'The Tyger' by William Blake." LitFinder Contemporary Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2010. LitFinder. Web. 1 Apr. 2012.
Document URL
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The Age of Sensibility (Age of Johnson)
By: Brooke Lynch
Period Review
The literary period of the Age of Sensibility, more commonly known as the Age of Johnson, was from 1750-1798. This period was a transition between Neo-Classicism and Romanticism. Samuel Johnson, after which this period is named, played a large part in changing literary ideals ("History"). In his philosophical tale Rasselas (1959), Johnson focused on displaying the moral that “human life is everywhere a state in which much is to be endured, and little to be enjoyed” ("History"). A primary focus of this period was in the vanity of human wishes.Johnson exemplified the possibility of success in critical discrimination and intellectual integrity. His friend Oliver Goldsmith, author of “The Rose,” was another prominent poet of the Age of Johnson. He was particularly well-known for his peculiar and interesting mixture of old and new styles. Some of his work foreshadowed the romantic age, displaying the period as being a transition to romanticism. Also, the novel was prominently used as a new popular form in this period.
Works Cited:
"History of English Literature." Angelfire. Web. 1 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.angelfire.com/darkside/sjhscult/notes/unit2/eng_lit.htm>.
Poems
"May to April" by Philip Morin Freneau
Without your showers, I breed flowers,
Each field a barren waste appears;
If you don't weep, my blossoms sleep,
They take such pleasure in your tears.
As your decay made room for May,
So I must part with all that's mine:
My balmy breeze, my blooming trees
To torrid suns their sweets resign!
O'er April dead, my shades I spread:
To her I owe my dress so gay--
Of daughters three, it falls on me
To close our triumphs on one day:
Thus, to repose, all Nature goes;
Month after month must find its doom:
Time on the wing, May ends the Spring,
And summer dances on her tomb!
Works Cited:
Freneau, Philip. "May to April." Poems Written Between the Years 1768-1794. Philip Morin
Freneau. Philip Freneau, 1795. 96. LitFinder. Web. 1 Apr. 2012.
"The Rose" by Oliver Goldsmith
Child of summer, lovely rose,In thee what blushing beauty glows;
But, ere to-morrow's setting sun,
Thy beauty fades, thy form is gone:
Yet though no grace thy buds retain,
Thy pleasing odours still remain.
Maiden's smile, like thine, sweet flower,
Shall bloom and wither in an hour;
But mental fragrance still shall last,
When youth and youthful charms are past
Ye fair, betimes the moral prize,
'Tis lasting beauty to be wise!
Works Cited:
Goldsmith, Oliver. "The Rose." Lyrics from the Old Song Books. Ed. Edmonstoune Duncan.
Harcourt Brace, 1927. 408. LitFinder. Web. 1 Apr. 2012.
Critical Article Review
Philip Freneau, a poet sometimes referred to as “the Father of American poetry,” is an eighteenth century poet whose writing was involved in several periods of the eighteenth century including the transitional Age of Sensibility (Age of Johnson Period). While some scholars support his title, others believe him to be unheard of. However, recent anthologies are paying more attention to his work and a reevaluation is thought to be on the way.
Freneau often used the same forms throughout his poetic career, including satires in heroic couplets and octosyllables in the Revolutionary period, and light verses and lyrics later in life. He frequently used the heroic couplet throughout his entire career. Freneau’s heroic couplets were known to be of most quality when he employed them to tell a story, sometimes a story combined with lyric expression. Even though his satires were often unaffective due to a lack of appropriate exaggeration of rhyme and meter for effective satire.
One of Freneau’s most important contributions to American metrical history is his elaborate use of anapestics. He was the one to popularize this meter in America. He used anapests in a variety of ways including couplets, quatrains, and various stanzas, further creating success in his appropriate usage of the measure. Although Freneau did not introduce any original new stanzas to the poetic world, his somewhat expected versions of eighteenth century poetry were instilled with originality in unstilted diction and fresh imagery. One thing often overlooked is the fact that he was writing in lyrical form thirty years before the method of lyrical ballad was even heard of by the world.
Works Cited:
"Philip Freneau." LitFinder Contemporary Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2007. LitFinder. Web. 1
Apr. 2012.
Database: Gale Group
Link: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=RELEVANCE&inPS=true&prodId=LITF&userGroupName=fl_breva&tabID=T001&searchId=R8&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&contentSegment=&searchType=BasicSearchForm¤tPosition=1&contentSet=GALE%7CLTF0000023756BI&&docId=GALE|LTF0000023756BI&docType=GALE&role=